Williams to tour with institute

WINGHAM’S Scott Williams has been named in an Australian Institute of Sport rugby league team to tour England and France in November.

The 18-year-old has been training with the AIS for more than a year after first being spotted playing in Country under 18 representative trials.

Williams is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.

The team will be away for five weeks and will play national youth teams from England, France and Wales while on tour. Squad members will go into camp in September to prepare for the tour.

Williams has been named at five-eighth, although he can also switch to lock, the position he represented East Coast Dolphins under 18s this year.

“I’m looking forward to getting over there,’’ he said.

As a member of the AIS squad he has been required to head to Canberra regularly during the year for specialised training.

He’s a Wingham junior who started playing rugby league when he was four. Williams was a member of Wingham’s premiership winning under 18 side last year and was used extensively in first grade this season, mainly at five-eighth.

He described firsts as ‘more physical’ that under 18s and while the Tigers didn’t enjoy a particularly successful season, Williams said he enjoyed the experience.

However, he’s back playing under 18s now and will be a key player for Wingham in Sunday’s final against minor premiers Camden Haven at Port Macquarie.

He believes the Tigers are a strong chance of defending their title by beating Camden Haven this week and Taree City in the grand final.

Williams will complete his HSC this year and concedes he isn’t sure what the immediate future holds regarding rugby league.

He said he hasn’t been speaking to any NRL clubs recently.

“I’m not sure what I’ll be doing,’’ he said.

This week’s sportstar, representative rugby league player Scott Williams is assisted by Vanessa Gibson from award sponsor, Iguana.